County commission backs 26-195 intersection redo

Reconstruction of this intersection to a T configuration with only one bridge has been moved up on the state's priority list. WSDOT has also submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for federal funds for the project.

Whitman County Commissioners Monday signed a letter of support for the revamping the intersection of Highway 26 and 195 at the north end of Colfax. The county's letter of support was sent to Anthony Foxx, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, in regard to the Transportation Incentives Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant application submitted by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The project would remove both bridges which span the North Fork of the Palouse River and would replace them with one bridge. The intersection would be changed to a T configuration.

Four lanes at the intersection and traffic controls are also possibilities at the intersection.

City Administrator Mike Rizzitiello reported to the Colfax City Council last month that reconstruction estimate is approximately $7 million and may not include a matching fund requirement.

The construction project was moved up in state ratings in March as a top priority. Rizzitiello told the council construction could start as early as the next year, but might not start for several years. He added TIGER grant funds could be expected to move the project up on the state's construction list.

“Even if WSDOT gets the grant, my guess is they can only do engineering work in 2017, and we still aren't talking about construction until past 2018,” Rizzitiello said Monday.

County commissioners in their letter of support detailed the benefits of the project.

“The existing US 195 and State Route 26 intersection carries over 10,000 vehicles a day between Pullman-Moscow, Spokane, Lewiston-Clarkston and the Tri-Cities. The project will provide travel time reductions, improve regional freight mobility, reduce congestion and emissions, provide collision reduction savings and construct pedestrian facilities. This construction will enhance the economies of the greater Palouse region,” they wrote.

The commissioners also noted the Palouse Regional Transportation Planning Organization also ranked this project as one of the top transportation projects in the region.

Rizzitiello said the county support is appreciated.

“We're happy they issued a support letter,” he said. “That's good that all the agencies are in support of it and what we're doing.”

Rizzitiello said support letters have come in now from the county, numerous businesses, nearby cities and towns, Washington State University and the University of Idaho. He said the support letters could boost the application.

“The U.S. Department of Transportation wants to make sure the money they're awarding has community support,” he added.

Rizzitiello noted the Port of Whitman County may also issue a letter of support in the near future.